yourdictionary.com defines civil rights as “rights given to individuals by societies. They are established and enforced by law. Natural rights exist even if a society falls apart, but civil rights would disappear without someone to enforce them. Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination based on their race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected class. Civil liberties, like those outlined in the Bill of Rights (such as Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech), apply legal protection to natural rights to freedom, but again, they would cease to exist without a government to enforce them.
- Civil liberties are designed to limit government action in specific areas. For example, you have the freedom of speech. This is a civil liberty.
- Civil rights, on the other hand, require a government to act to ensure equal treatment for all. If you are denied a job because you are a woman, this is against your civil rights and the government needs to act to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Civil rights are granted to us via the U.S. Constitution through the 14th amendment, which states all citizens have the right to life, liberty, or property along with equal protection under the laws. These rights were then further expanded on through the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires equal application of laws for everyone.
The application of full and equal rights for all seems simple. However, it’s actually anything but. Not only do race and gender come into play, but sexual orientation as well. However, to try to keep it clear, examples of civil rights include the equal treatment of individuals in:
- Employment
- Housing
- Public facilities
- Government services
- Public education
What Are Civil Liberties?
As a citizen, you also have certain rights that a government shouldn’t interfere with called your civil liberties. Civil liberties are granted by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. For example, freedom of speech is a civil liberty. So, if you want to create a poster about problems with your school district and post it in your yard, you can. However, it must meet a few guidelines like not defaming someone.
Examples of Civil Liberties
Just like civil rights, there are a few different examples of civil liberties. Unlike civil rights, civil liberties are a bit more cut and dried. However, there are still gray areas. Examples of civil liberties include the freedom of:
- Speech
- Expression
- Privacy
- Due process
- Press
- Religion
- Assembly
- Owning property
- Defending oneself
- Marrying
- Voting
When looking at civil rights and civil liberties, it might seem like the differences are clear. However, they can weave together into a tangled mess. For example, the right to marry is a civil liberty that all U.S. citizens are granted. So, the government can’t impede this right. If they try, then you have a civil liberties issue. But what if they only choose to not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples? Well then, you’ve ventured into the waters of civil rights. See how that can get confusing fast. Either way, your civil rights and liberties are important.
Source: Jennifer Betts, Staff Writer, yourdictionary.com
The Curious Pilgrims 